Sheffield United has undergone significant changes this summer.
First, Chris Wilder was fired from his position at Bramall Lane after failing to secure promotion to the Premier League, and former Hull City manager Ruben Selles was announced as his surprise successor.
Rhian Brewster recently left South Yorkshire for a fresh challenge at Derby County, while Kieffer Moore is expected to join Championship newcomers Wrexham.
Moore’s move to the Blades ultimately failed, as the veteran EFL marksman never quite caught up to what was anticipated of him in United red and white.
Kieffer Moore’s unsuccessful transfer to United
Wilder would have bought Moore in the hopes that he would be an important piece of the Bramall Lane puzzle once promotion was successfully secured.
After all, when the towering 6-foot-5 menace is on his game, he’s shown to be a nuisance in the EFL’s top level, scoring 59 goals in the Championship during his career.
| Moore’s numbers with United | |
|---|---|
| Stat | Moore |
| Games played | 30 |
| Goals scored | 6 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Games missed through injury | 17 |
| Sourced by Transfermarkt | |
Unfortunately, Moore’s poor luck with injuries would spoil his brief stint in South Yorkshire, with the Welshman scoring only six goals when free of those recurring difficulties.
Wrexham will be hoping he isn’t a regular fixture at the Racehorse Ground treatment room this season, given they reportedly paid £2 million for his services, as a deal gets closer to being finalised.
United will just attempt to put the failed move behind them, with this free agent emerging as a suitable substitute for the unlucky 32-year-old.
United could find a “unbelievable” Moore replacement
Currently, Selles has Tom Cannon and Tyrese Campbell at his disposal in the forward areas, with the pair scoring an astounding 61 goals combined in the second division.
However, the ex-Tigers manager’s attacking options would be significantly strengthened by the return of Oli McBurnie to Bramall Lane, with the Sheffield Star reporting that the Blades have made an official bid to bring the free agency forward back to familiar surroundings.
McBurnie is very much constructed in the same mould as the tall Moore, with the Scotsman standing at a high 6-foot-2 and possessing a deadly edge in front of goal, which is particularly evident when playing in the Championship.
The 29-year-old even gave a glowing account of himself last season in La Liga with Las Palmas, registering a reasonable three goals and six assists – a heftier total than Moore’s own haul last season in England – with McBurnie clearly eager to return to Bramall Lane and be a success again, having already been a part of one magical promotion journey in South Yorkshire.
| McBurnie’s record in the Championship by club | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Club played for | Games played | Goals scored | Assists |
| Sheffield United | 66 | 13 | 4 |
| Swansea City | 42 | 22 | 4 |
| Barnsley | 17 | 9 | 0 |
| Sourced by Transfermarkt | |||
McBurnie had previously scored 44 goals in the difficult league, with his work ethic for Swansea being hailed as “incredible” by then-Swansea manager Graham Potter.
That number means he is only 14 strikes away from matching Moore’s massive Championship haul, with McBurnie undoubtedly hoping to outperform the Welshman if he returns to the Steel City soon.
The previous £20 million signing will most certainly be welcomed back with open arms, and if he can regain his “unbelievable” form, as former Blades colleague John Egan once described him, another promotion might be on the cards under Selles.
Leave a Reply